Since his emergence in 1923, no truly American music has been made that does not exhibit the influence of his stunningly original contributions to ensemble (he swung, and taught the world to swing), vocal (he sung, and taught the world to sing), and instrumental (he established the improvised solo as the vehicle for jazz expression) music-making. Jazz, as Armstrong brought to its first and loftiest peak, has informed every subsequent development in American music.
It is wholly appropriate, then, that Armstrong considered himself to have been born on July 4, 1900, Independence Day. He liked to remark that he and jazz were both born in New Orleans at the turn of the century, and it should be obvious that both made their mark on the American cultural landscape over the decades to come. And so, as the country celebrates its birth on the Fourth of July, it will quite naturally reflect on its singular contribution to the world's culture: if America and jazz are inseparable, so too are jazz and Louis Armstrong. A weekend-long Birthday Broadcast, the perfect accompaniment for holiday barbeques and fireworks displays, is an apt reflection of those two facts.
Listed below is a detailed schedule of the festival proceedings, highlighting different stages of Mr. Armstrong's career. So, be sure to tune in to WKCR over the July 4th weekend, either on 89.9 in the New York metropolitan area, or www.wkcr.org around the world, as we celebrate the consummate American musician, artist, and symbol, Mr. Louis Armstrong. For more information or general inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact Chris Tomson at the location above.
Louis Armstrong Festival Schedule:
Late Friday Night (11 pm - 4 am): Opening Potpourri
Our holiday celebration opens with recordings spanning the breadth of Armstrong's career, hinting at the depth of listening to come.
Early Saturday Morning (4 - 8 am): The Last Years
A sampling of late-vintage Armstrong, outside of the All-Stars. Expect to hear everything from hit Broadway show tunes to obscure efforts in the 60s vein.
Saturday Morning (8 am - noon): The Earliest Years
A survey of Armstrong's earliest recordings with Joe 'King' Oliver, Clarence Williams, and others in the traditional style of New Orleans jazz.
Saturday Afternoon (noon - 4 pm): The All-Stars
Studio recordings of Armstrong's great combo, which he led through several incarnations over the final two decades of his life.
Saturday Evening (4 - 8 pm): Louis & the Big Bands
Recordings featuring Armstrong both as a Jazz Age sideman, most notably with the great Fletcher Henderson, and as the leader of his own Swing Era orchestra.
Saturday Night (8 pm - midnight): Louis & the Blues Singers
Armstrong's cornet accompanied countless singers in the 1920s, from the Queen of the Blues, Bessie Smith, to the Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers.
Late Saturday Night (midnight - 4 am): Overnight Potpourri
We take a step back from our focused presentations to offer more late-night highlights from the Armstrong discography.
Early Sunday Morning (4 - 8 am): Live All-Stars
Beginning in 1948, Armstrong's All-Stars regularly toured the world to great acclaim. These concert recordings demonstrate why.
Sunday Morning (8 am - noon): More from the Middle Years
Another listen to Armstrong's often-neglected recordings of the Swing Era, when both he and jazz rose to their greatest heights of popularity.
Sunday Afternoon (noon - 4 pm): The Hot Fives and Sevens
Armstrong's great studio sessions of the 1920s, in which the modern conception of jazz is forged. Quite simply the Alpha and Omega of American music.
Sunday Evening (4 - 8 pm): Louis the Singer
An in-depth listen to the Armstrong voice, which did more than any other to change the course of American popular singing.
Sunday Night (8 pm- 2 am): Closing Potpourri
The holiday weekend closes with masterpieces from across Armstrong's career, including a set of uninterrupted music during New York City's fireworks display.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
